The Buffalo Bills secured a decisive 31-12 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, driven largely by a heavy emphasis on the running game.
Quarterback Josh Allen acknowledged the team’s strategic shift to prioritize the ground attack, specifically highlighting the contributions of running back James Cook, as noted by the Yahoo Sports report.
During the contest, Cook recorded 157 rushing yards on 18 carries, punctuated by a significant 74-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
This performance marked the longest run of the season for the team and the second-longest in the NFL this year, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Allen credited the success of the long touchdown to the persistent, less glamorous efforts Cook made throughout the earlier portions of the game.
“That’s the product of getting those 4- or 5-yarders early in the game and in the third quarter,” Allen said.
The quarterback further noted that the running back’s ability to chip away at the defense eventually created a crease large enough for him to capitalize on the big play.
Data from Next Gen Stats confirmed the impressive nature of the run, noting that Cook reached a top speed of 21.56 mph during the scoring play.
This speed was described by Allen as the fastest he has ever seen the running back move, as detailed by the local news outlet.
Cook has now extended his streak to eight consecutive games with a rushing touchdown and has maintained a run of five straight games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.
The quarterback emphasized that the team’s offensive success remains tied to providing Cook with consistent opportunities to carry the ball.
“The more touches we can get him, the better we’re going to be,” Allen stated.
The victory over the Jets continues a strong trend for the Bills’ offense as they look toward future matchups in the season.